These hardworking indie rockers have been around roughly as long as Death Cab, with whom they share lyrical similarities and soundtrack guest spots (Pond covering Oasis for the OC). They may be at the top of their game with Several Arrows Later (Altitude). Youth Group and Sea Navy open. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $11 adv./$12 All ages

Thursday, March 2

Animal Collective

Freak folk and avant-rock at its most strenuously poppy from a loose conglomeration of mostly New Yorkers. Neumos, 9 p.m. $13 adv./$15. All ages

Friday, March 3

Orthrelm + Bloodhag + Zombi

The headliners' OV was one of the weirder metal crossover hits of last year (well, it made Pitchfork's top 50, at least)—a single, 45-minute track consisting mostly of hyperspeed tweedling guitar runs that works like very cranky ambient. In the middle are a local group that play "short heavy metal songs about science fiction and fantasy authors" (it says so on their Web site) and opening are a two-piece devoted to Italian horror soundtracks. Quite a bill. Vera Project, 7 p.m. $6 with club card/$7

Satoshi Tomiie

N.Y.C.-based Tomiie is first to head up the new Renaissance series, 3D, a triple mix of live sets, original tracks and remixes, and a compilation of (non-artist-produced) come-down favorites. You might just hear it all during this four-hour set, supported by Chronus. Element, 9 p.m. $10 before 11 p.m./$15

Saturday, March 4

Band of Horses + Mt. Egypt + Tiny Vipers

Fresh from Sundance, where they played with Sub Pop brethren Iron and Wine and the Fruit Bats, BOH release Everything All the Time this month. With former members of Carissa's Wierd and the Charming Snakes, it's good stuff. Neumo's, 9 p.m. $8

Even if you're not all that big on Hitchcock's cod-surrealist lyrics, the guy's a charming performer and has lots of catalog to pick from. So do his backing band, who celebrate the release of a fine new self-titled album. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $15

This "Songwriters/Storytellers" event features prolific local musicians—with variations on a folk theme—and their personal anecdotes about how and why they make the music they do. Triple Door, 7 p.m. (All ages) and 10 p.m. $17.50 adv./$21

Mercir

The local quartet (since the addition of instrumentalist Neal Vickers) make emotional, haunting electronica that's at its best on Windchimes and Landmines, debuting tonight among performances from Awesome, Plan B with LP Recklaw, Kid Hops, and RA Scion. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $8 Also Sun., March 5, at Easy Street Records Queen Anne, 4 p.m. NC

Seattle has a dumbfounding lack of skate parks. Since it's taking the city so long to rebuild what they've razed, a group of citizens have been constructing Marginal Skatepark DIY-style, for the kids. All proceeds from this show benefit their righteous efforts. Sunset, 6 p.m. $5

Sunday, March 5

Jackie-O Motherfucker + Super Geek League + Grails

Beauty is in the streets, as well as "free jazz, noise rock, graffiti, space rock, folk music," etc., for this experimental troupe, playing tonight with Portland's graceful Grails and local weirdos Super Geek League. Something for everyone! Chop Suey, 8 p.m. $7

Trespassers William

Prime for tomorrow night's Low performance by catching the ethereal folk of Trespassers, whose Having (Nettwerk) is a must-own for Mazzy Star and Azure Ray fans. Rendezvous, 10:30 p.m. $5

Monday, March 6

Bon Jovi

It takes cheek to title your new album Have a Nice Day, as these veteran arena rockers have, but if you're going, it's for the '80s hits. KeyArena, 305 Harrison St., 206-684-7202, 7:30 p.m. $47.50–$85.50

Stereolab + Hot Chip

Showbox, 8 p.m. $18

Tuesday, March 7

Dengue Fever

Dengue Fever's blend of American, Cambodian, and Ethiopian influences made an impression the last time they played Seattle. Tonight, Forgotten Sol and Swampdweller open. Chop Suey, 8 p.m. $7

DMBQ

The Japanese noise-rock kings and queens return, in support of last year's The Essential Sounds of the Far East (Estrus) and with a great, ferocious live show. The King Cobra and zZz open. Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $8

Low

For a band that traffics in what some consider a stagnant sound, Low have evolved plenty in the last few years—most recently, with bassist Zak Sally's departure. Their new, louder musical direction made the Great Destroyer (Sub Pop) one of 2005's best. Lavender Diamond open. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $13 adv./$15

Pink Mountaintops

If you like Black Mountain, wait'll you hear them stripped down and lightened up (in more ways than one). The Can't See and Whalebones open. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $8